The Brave Or The Bold: Nighthawk Or Moon Knight?

Martinex1:  Batman is everywhere!  The DC character has been so popular over the decades that Marvel created a handful of variations, mimics, and knock-offs along the way.    We are going to compare a couple of them and see how you feel they measure up.


So today we look primarily at Nighthawk and Moon Knight.   (And a little later we will include a few more of the mirror entities if you would like to comment on those as well).


Kyle Richmond has a storied career starting as an enemy of the Avengers and pawn of the Grandmaster as a member of the Squadron Sinister.   Another version of Richmond was the leader of the heroic but misguided Squadron Supreme.  The Sinister one turned good, changed costumes and joined the Defenders. Richmond was a wealthy industrialist in both worlds and actually was the President on the Supreme's planet.  In both versions, he is extremely athletic but even moreso at night.   Got that?


Marc Spector has many personalities.   He is a rich entrepreneur and a cab driver and a mercenary.   Oh, and he is Moon Knight.   He first appeared in a couple of issues of  Werewolf by Night, as a silver-weaponed hired assassin.  His most respected run may be under the pencils of Bill Sienkiewicz. In a later series he revealed his Egyptian mystic background as the resurrected Fist of Khonshu and his powers increased under the light of the moon.  In the dark of night, he hunts the thugs and villains that endanger the city.


So which do you prefer?   They have both lived in the Marvel universe for decades.   Moon Knight has had a few series, and Nighthawk has mainly been a team player.   Did they ever evolve past their seeming DC inspiration?   Do you have any episodes to recommend?  How about their look; what do you think about their design?


Since we're in the midst of a long weekend, don't stop there - what do you think about the Shroud, or the Black Fox from the Lost Generation, or even Daredevil?    Were they also knockoffs of Batman or did they have enough of their own character beats to earn them their own stature?  All Batman descendants are open for discussion - so let the comparisons fly.  Who is the best?  Who is the worst?  Why was Batman such a significant influence on comic characters? And recommend the best stories please.

But let's get started with the colorful high flying swashbuckler and the silver-and-black mystery man.

Shroud

Daredevil

Black Fox

Chew the Fat: Black Friday, Comic Style

Redartz:  Welcome to the Holiday Season, everyone! Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, retailers everywhere are literally working overtime to get us into the stores. "Black Friday", the traditional big kickoff to the Christmas shopping season, drives millions of dollars in sales. Of course, if you are one of those folks who have to brave the crowds, lines, and occasionally psychotic shoppers, Black Friday might not be your 'cup of eggnog'. 

So today, we will consider Black Friday from the perspective of our interest in comics. Here's the bit: 

You have one person to buy a gift for. You only know that this person has never read a comic or graphic novel before, but wishes to give one a try. So our little group here is heading to the Largest Comic Shop in the World, where they have Everything in four-color wonderment. Now, what one comic or graphic novel would you give for that all-important first experience?  And just to keep it within reason, we'll set a fifty dollar limit (so no purchases of Amazing Spider-Man number 1, sorry).

To start off: after much browsing and consideration, I'm selecting a graphic novel: Darwyn Cooke's "New Frontier". Wonderfully illustrated, very friendly to the eyes. The story also serves as a great introduction to DC's Silver Age heroes, and has enough historical reference to appeal to any student of culture. Now all I have to do is gift wrap it; that's the hard part..

Martinex1:  That's a challenging question and also a great gift choice on your part Redartz.   A dozen options run through my mind, but  I am going to grab something a bit low key: Essential Marvel Team-Up Volume 3.  It may be in black-in white, but it includes great Spidey stories with guest stars ranging from the X-Men to Warlock to Yellowjacket to Captain Britain.  It has plenty of Sal Buscema and John Byrne art with scripts by Conway, Mantlo, and Claremont.  I think it is a great primer for the uninitiated and makes the color versions seem that much more fantastic.  And typically found for under $20, that leaves room for other volumes or a fruit cake. 

Redartz:  A fine choice there, Martinex1! Some lucky recipient will get a great introduction to a lot of characters. Ah, we are approaching the checkout, gang. So what's in your basket?

Happy Thanksgiving to All of Our Bronze Age Friends!

Martinex1: Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.  Thank you for following Redartz and me onto the Back In The Bronze Age site.   We are grateful that you are here and for all of the participation along the way.   And thanks to Doug and Karen from the BAB for encouraging us to keep on truckin'.  We hope you and your families have a wonderful day.

Redartz:  Happy Thanksgiving, and best wishes for the holidays and beyond! As Martinex1 said, we truly appreciate you joining us here. Everyone that comments, everyone that reads, each of you is a blessing to us. May I add a special "thanks" to Doug and Karen for inspiration and so much more. And to you all, be safe and be happy.


So what do you intend to do this weekend?


Do you have friends and family visiting?  Or are you traveling?

What are you thankful for?

What are you having for dinner?  Traditional turkey or something else?  Do you like cranberry relish?



Are you watching any football?



Or are you just relaxing with some special reading?



Any unexpected guests?

Do you watch the parades?  Do you have any good parade stories?

 What is your favorite leftover?  I like shredded turkey tacos with cranberry mashed potatoes and gravy.

The holidays are here! We wish you all the best!  Cheers all!

Animation Congregation: The Voice Actors

Redartz:  Hi folks! For today's excursion into animated discussion arises from a comment from our friend HB. In our last "Animated Congregation", he suggested a look at the voices behind our favorite cartoon characters. We can't let an excellent idea like that go unaddressed, and so: today we will check out four big vocal talents.

Mel Blanc
 If someone asked you to name a cartoon voice talent, chances are you would say "Mel Blanc". The unbelievably talented Blanc was the audio force behind much of Warner Brother's vast array of characters. He also did work for Hanna Barbera studios, notably providing the dulcet tones of one Barney Rubble. Indeed, Blanc gave life to so many characters it's difficult to list them all. Just a short list: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, Tweety, Marvin the Martian, Porky  Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, Woody Woodpecker, Dino the Dinosaur, Cosmo Spacely, Secret Squirrel, and Captain Caveman. It's hard to imagine how we'd have a Saturday Morning Cartoon to remember, had it not been for Mel.

Daws Butler
 Daws  also was responsible for a large number of familiar voices. Butler's early career found him working with Tex Avery at MGM, and with Stan Freberg on television. Yet he is perhaps best known for his work with Hanna Barbera studios, where he (along with Don Messick) handled much of the voice characterizations. Among his characters: Chilly Willy, Augie Doggie, Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss, Captain Crunch and Quisp.

June Foray
 June Foray has had an amazingly varied career. Ranging from radio voice acting to Disney Studios, Jay Ward Studios to "Frosty the Snowman", Hanna Barbera and Warner Brothers. She voiced everything from May Parker in "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends" to Cindy Lou Who in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". Among the greats she voiced were Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Natasha Fatale, Nell Fenwick, "Granny" in the Warner Bros. shorts; and one of my personal favorites, Ursula from "George of the Jungle".

Bob McFadden
Perhaps less well-known overall than the above personalities, McFadden nonetheless showed great range and talent. Starting as a singer and impressionist, he worked on records with Rod McKuen and Harry Belafonte. McFadden moved into television, doing extensive work in commercials, and then voicing cartoons from Milton the Monster to Thundercats. Some of his 'greatest hits': Milton the Monster, Cool McCool and Frankenberry. McFadden also gave voice to a couple characters (one of them a dragon) in one of the 80's greatest animated tv films, "The Flight of Dragons".

 Animated cartoons are a fascinating blend of visual and auditory creativity.  We may certainly remember the onscreen gags, wild colors and imaginative design found in the best tv and film animation. However, the  cartoons just wouldn't be as memorable (or nearly as effective) without these, and other actors, stretching their talents and voices to the limit. And now, to the dvd player; these clips have only whetted my appetite...

Rank and File: Marvel Leaders

Martinex1: Hello everyone!  Thanks for joining us this Tuesday for another round of "Rank and File."   This time instead of looking at movies, we are going to focus on leaders from the Marvel universe.   Through their decades of publishing, Marvel has created and established a myriad of characters who have leadership skills.   Good or bad, hero or villain, there are dozens of candidates to consider. There are tactical leaders and monarchs and newspaper publishers and criminal emperors.  So list your own personal top five bosses and also share one example of a leader that you don't like.  


Here are my top five Marvel leaders:


1) Captain America.  This one goes without explanation, doesn't it?   Everybody turns to Cap when they need guidance.   He is strategic and tactical.  He is calm under pressure and always on the right side.   His only weakness seems to be his ability to maintain a long term personal relationship (just ask Bernie or Diamondback).
2) Hawkeye.  I enjoyed his stints with the West Coast Avengers, Great Lakes Avengers, and Thunderbolts.   I find his flaws incredibly engaging (from a reader's standpoint).    He is always trying to be better while bordering on arrogant incompetence.  Somehow sheer will and good intentions make the difference.
3) Baron Zemo.  Not that I would want to follow him - but he is particularly driven, always has a complex and competent plan, and the will to get it done.  Whether battling the Avengers or leading the Thunderbolts, he is extremely watchable and is one villain that I strangely root for.
4) Nick Fury: Whether with the Howling Commandos or with S.H.I.E.L.D, nobody commands respect like Fury.  Cantankerous and gruff - he is tough in all the right ways.  I was always surprised he never outright led an A-List superhero team back in the Bronze Age.   As far as sheer crabbiness as a style, I almost put J. Jonah Jameson in this spot, but I have to give it to Nick.
5) The Wasp.  She was not the strongest nor the most capable.   But I respected how Roger Stern scripted her during the classic "Siege on Avengers Mansion" storyline.  She understood her own weaknesses but worked hard to surround herself with talents she didn't have and pushed forward through overwhelming odds.


Sure my picks tend to be Avengers' centric, but there are so many good choices and a favorite of mine, Namor Prince of Atlantis just narrowly missed the cut.


As far as my least favorite - he may not be the "worst" but I just don't grok why the Fantastic Four follow Reed Richards.  He may have a brilliant mind, but he seems to lead the team into a lot of trouble.  He is so obsessively distracted that he is a poor communicator.  Thumbs down from me.


Though there are more options than I can depict, take a gander at some leaders below and using whatever criteria you deem adequate make your selections and share your thoughts.


Until Irving Forbush leads the FF, make mine BIBTA....






Nick Fury with the Howling Commandos and S.H.I.E.L.D.?

Black Bolt of the Inhumans?

 

 



Zemo with the Masters of Evil and Thunderbolts?

How about the Wasp?  She had a memorable chairmanship on the Avengers.

 

Night Thrasher of the New Warriors?



Professor X?

 

Black Panther, King or Wakanda?

 

Cyclops and the X-Men?



Namor, King of Atlantis?



Guardian from Alpha Flight?

Iron Man of the Avengers?

Captain America of Avengers and Invaders fame?



Dr. Doom - Ruler of Latveria?

Dr. Strange and the Defenders?







Odin, Ruler of Asgard?



Black Widow of the Champions?



Vance Astro of the GOTG?